Explanation

Al-Ghaffar is an attribute of ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. It means “The Forgiver” or “The One who forgives repeatedly”. This name is mentioned in the Quran several times, emphasizing ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ merciful nature and his willingness to forgive those who repent.

ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Ghaffar; He sees our faults and disobedience, but He nevertheless forgives and accepts the sincere repentance of the believer. He shows never-ending compassion and forgiveness, no matter how great or minor the sin. This name emphasizes ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ attribute of being the most merciful and forgiving, and it emphasizes that ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is willing to forgive those who ask for forgiveness and repent.

The word “ghaffaar” derives from the root “ghayn-faa-raa,” which has three major connotations. The first definition includes the words to cover, veil, conceal, and hide. The second definition includes the words pardon, forgive, and set right. The third meaning is to conceal something in order to keep it safe. (from dirt).

The Arabic word astaghfirullah, which means “I seek ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ forgiveness,” derives from the same ghaa-faa-raa root and is a wonderful all-encompassing request to ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ to forgive us, conceal our transgressions, keep watch over us, and shield us from transgressions. This fundamental idea of forgiving, covering, and protecting is known as maghfirah.

Messenger of ALLAH (ﷺ) say: ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ the Almighty said: O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it. (Reference: Hadith 34, 40 Hadith Qudsi)

This hadith teaches us that even if a person’s misdeeds “reach the height of the heaven,” it is never too late for them to ask their Lord for forgiveness. Never feel like you are asking for too much, too much, or that it is too late. This would be disrespectful to ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ mercy because He is Al-Ghaffar, The Ever-Forgiving, who always extends forgiveness. If one has sinned, one should not lose hope in ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ kindness.

This name highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness and turning to ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ for redemption. It reminds us that no matter how many mistakes we make, ALLAH سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is always willing to forgive us if we sincerely repent and strive to improve ourselves.

Quran References

But I am indeed Most Forgiving to him who repents and believes and does righteous works and keeps to the Right Way.  (Quran 20:82) 

the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is in between them, the Most Mighty, the Most Forgiving.  (Quran 38:66) 

He created the heavens and earth in truth. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term. Unquestionably, He is the Exalted in Might, the most Forgiver. (Quran 39:5) 

You invite me to disbelieve in Allāh and associate with Him that of which I have no knowledge, and I invite you to the Exalted in Might, the Most Forgiver. (Quran 40:42) 

I said to them: “Ask forgiveness from your Lord; surely He is Most Forgiving. (Quran 71:10)